Villaescusa, Mena, Carrascosa Win Gold at 2025 Spanish Dressage Championships

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2025 Spanish Dressage Championships

Text and Photos © Lily Forado, edited by Eurodressage

Under 25 rider Marta Villaescusa and senior Grand Prix riders Jose Antonio Garcia Mena and Borja Carrascosa became the gold medal winners at the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix Championships at equestrian center Las Cadenas in Camarma de Esteruelas, Spain, on 27 May - 1 June 2025.

Las Cadenas near Madrid hosted one of the most thrilling editions of the Spanish Dressage Championship, with a vibrant atmosphere, top-level performances, and internationally renowned riders. Over the course of five days, high temperatures faded in into the background as the best pairs in the country competed for the coveted national title.

Day 1 – Grand Prix: The Battle Begins

The format for the championships was changed two years ago. Instead of naming an overall champion after three rounds, like the majority of countries do, Spain splits the championship up into two parts: a "technical" championship based on the Grand Prix Special score and an "artistic" championship based on the freestyle score. The Grand Prix scores had no relevance in the medal count.

With 35 combinations entered for the Grand Prix the field was big, but several absentees stood out: particularly Alejandro Asencio with his two Grand Prix horses Sezarion and Gavia dos Cedros. Olympian Jose Daniel Martin Dockx has retired as a competition rider and Severo Jurado Lopez recently sold his Grand Prix horses. Former Spanish team horse Quincallo de Indalo has retreated into the background. After the owner and his rider, Alejandro Sanchez del Barco split, Quincallo found a new rider in Juan Lopez Dobao but they have not returned to the main game. Also the hyped PRE stallion Poeta de Susaeta was once again absent from all the action. His last CDI was a year ago at Las Cadenas. The stallion is side-lined for health reasons.

Still with a big field of 35 pairs the competition was action packed and kicked off with the Grand Prix — the first test that set the tone for the championship. Under intense heat of 35 degrees, José Antonio García Mena stood out from the start with Lourdes Ariza's 13-year old Lusitano Gladiador Do Lis (by Peralta Pinha), scoring 72.913%. Borja Carrascosa surprised with his 10-year old Hanoverian stallion Frizzantino FRH (by Finest x Quaterback) on 71.652%, showing great improvement in the connection and stability of the pair. Beatriz Ferrer-Salat riding her long-time partner, 16-year old KWPN gelding Elegance (by Negro x Monaco) placed third 71.304%.

Day 2 – Thrilling Grand Prix Special Decides First Set of Medals

The second major battle of the 2025 Spanish National Championship, the Grand Prix Special will go down in history not only for its high level but also for being the emotional rollercoaster, reminiscent of the unforgettable Grand Prix special at the 2013 European Championships in Herning, where three riders went off course and kept the audience on the edge of their seats.

It was the final block that brought thrilling suspense. The ten most experienced riders — those expected to shine without faltering — faced something greater than themselves: pressure. It seemed fault-free riding was out of reach... until Claudio Castilla and the 13-year old Lusitano Hi Rico Do Sobral (by Oriente) broke the curse with an impeccable performance that gave him the provisional lead (70.404%). However, the calm didn't last long. Beatriz Ferrer-Salat came close with Elegance, but small mistakes placed her second (70.043%). Juan Antonio Jiménez couldn't take the lead either — pressure got the better of the rider and his 11-year old Hanoverian Quartar (by Quantensprung) felt it.

Spanish team trainer Rien van der Schaft with
Spanish Dressage technical director Miki Jorda

Then the atmosphere crackled with Borja Carrascosa and Frizzantino FRH. After a performance with highs and lows, they narrowly took the lead (70.426%). Then everything stopped and a deafening silence filled the stadium as the last to go entered the arena: José Antonio García Mena with Gladiador Do Lis. The tension was palpable as the audience held its breath. Mena entered like a gladiator stepping into the arena, ready to give his all. His aptly named horse Gladiador shone. The Piaffe and passage were poetry in motion but judges stayed conservative and rewarded him with only sevens and eights. Still the score kept rising toward 74%, but at the most critical moment — after the first canter pirouette — a mistake happened: an error in the one-tempi changes. Yet, Mena continued undisturbed. His presentation was a masterclass in dressage — not just for handling the mistake, but for managing Gladiador's tension in the ring.

Mena's riding lesson in motion was rewarded with a golden score of 73.745%. With unanimous support from the judges and roaring applause from the audience, José Antonio García Mena was crowned the 2025 Spanish Champion in the Grand Prix Special — his third national title . The silver medal went to Borja Carrascosa and Claudio Castilla closed the pódium of the technical test.

Day 3 – Grand Prix Kür: Carrascosa Claims First National Gold

The final day was very electric, the air was thick. Borja Carrascosa experienced a championship he will never forget. From the very beginning, he showed he was there to make a statement: he placed second in the Grand Prix, claimed silver in the Grand Prix Special, and on the final day in the Freestyle, he got gold. With a performance nearing 80%, Borja was crowned 2025 Spanish Kur Champion, his first national title.

Carrascosa thrilled the audience with a performance full of energy, flow, and technical difficulty. Set to a vibrant musical mix of Madonna's "Vogue" and "Little Prayer", he scored 79.310% and aced the class. His routine included difficult one-tempi changes, tight pirouettes, and a powerful medium trot. A flawless piaffe-passage transition preceded the final salute. During the prize ceremony there were tears and a standing ovation.

Beatriz Ferrer-Salat reminded everyone to always count her in. Performing her classical music by Verdi, she delivered an elegant, precise routine that earned her 77.300% and Kür silver. Her experience and class continue to make her a pillar of Spanish dressage.

José Antonio García Mena, already crowned Grand Prix Special Champions, performed last with a powerful Kür set to music from the movie Gladiator. He scored 76.770% delivering high difficulty but small errors in pirouettes and lateral work which cost him a few points.

Small Tour "Criterium" for Carrascosa and Manolo FRH

Although not officially named the Spanish Small Tour Championship, medals were give for the winner of the "Criterium" after the results of the Prix St Georges, Intermediaire I and Inter I test were totalled. It had all the ingredients of an actual championship, but the Spanish federation continues to call it "criterium".

A record-breaking 48 riders gathered for the Small Tour with top names such as José Antonio García Mena, Antonio José Vázquez, Juan Matute, and Juan Antonio Jiménez were among the contenders.

Carrascosa and the Colombian owned Hanoverian Manolo FRH (by Morricone x Donnerhall) claimed the gold medal with a 73.147% earning Prix St Georges, a 73.794% earning Intermediaire I and a 78.31% winning freestyle score. Carrascosa took over the ride on Harold Tascon's 8-year old Manaolo just months ago after German Anna Mitter had successfully trained and competed the young horse up the levels in Germany. In the final day’s freestyle, Borja performed to a medley of 80s/90s hits, including "Boogie Wonderland", "Last Dance", and "Because the Night". The choreography stood out for its symmetry and difficulty, especially the elastic lateral movements . The final centerline to “Come On Baby, Let’s Dance Tonight” showcased power and expression. The crowd rose to its feet.

Small tour podium: Vazquez, Carrascosa, Mena

The silver went to Antonio José Vázquez Quintero aboard the 9-year old Belgian warmblood bred Quappuccino Van De Nethe (by Fernando Torres), after scoring 70.0% in the PSG, 71.647% in the Inter I and 73.89% in the Kur.

Last year's criterium winner, José Antonio García Mena, got bronze this year. With the 9-year old KWPN bred Loriot (by Trafalgar) he scored 70.294% in the Prix St Georges, 69.912% in the Inter I, and 75.115% in the kur. In his freestyke he rode to “Faded” and “Girls Like You” and impressed with tempi changes on the circle.

Golden Hattrick from Under 25 Rider Marta Villaescusa

Since its establishment in 2017, the Spanish Under 25 Dressage Championship has grown steadily in size and quality. In its 8th edition, 12 riders competed for top honours.

The key figures were Marta Villaescusa with 15-year old DWB bred Goerklintgaards Quantico, Júlia Álvarez with 15-year old Hanoverian Dark Rose de Fangar (by Dancier), and Giovanni Torrens with 16-year old KWPN bred Euroboy (by Zambuca) as they both stood on the same steps of the podium for the technical championship (Inter II + Short Grand Prix) and Artistic Championship (Kur).

The competition began with Intermediaire II, won convincingly by Júlia Álvarez (69.147%). Marta Villaescusa followed closely (68.647%), and Giovanni completed the top three (67.323%). In the Individual Test, Marta scored a solid 69.077% for first place. Despite having ridden a nice test and improved piaffe, Julia had an error in the flying changes and got 67.590% for second place. Giovanni was third again (65.821%).

Saturday brought the long-awaited Kür. Júlia opened with a lovely Beauty and the Beast routine — the same with which she once shone as a Young Rider with Du Pre. Despite some small errors, she scored 71.295%. Giovanni’s Depeche Mode-themed test showed harmony and precision (69.750%) and put him in second position.

Marta and Quantico wowed the judges. Her routine featured a vibrant pop soundtrack including “Show Me Your Love” (walk), “Somebody That I Used to Know” (canter), and “All I Need Is Your Love Tonight” (passage). Her most difficult sequence: canter half-pass, piaffe transition at E, canter half-pass, and pirouette combination in canter . Despite errors in the flying changes to the African tune “Yamore” by Moblack, she recovered and scored 72.080%, securing her second gold of the championship.

Villaescusa is trained by Christian Tudela Ruiz, who used to ride at Blue Hors, where Marta's horse Gorklintgaards Quantico was found. The 16-year old Danish warmblood by Quaterback was competed by Nanna Skodborg Merrald at the 2016 World Young Horse Championships and in the U25 classes in 2017 - 2018 after which the bay disappeared from the international show scene for seven years.

Editor’s Note – A Format that Has Reached Its Limit

U25 podium: Alvare, Villaescusa, Torrens

The 2025 Spanish Grand Prix Championships along with the small tour championship and team selection trials for young horses, and youth riders, as well as the Para Dressage and Copa Clasica were literally marathon-like: 14 hours of competition each day (8:30 am–10:00 pm) in scorching heat, with 217 horses scheduled to the minute.

That density — impressive for organizers, inhumane for pairs and press alike — made complete and professional coverage nearly impossible.

The lesson is clear: the current format has reached its limit. If the Federation wants the sport’s quality to grow and media coverage to match, it's essential to either split the Absolute Championship and Masters into two locations or dates, or move the Masters to another week.

Results - 2025 Spanish Dressage Championships - Camarma de Esteruales

Small Tour Championships "Criterium" (PSG, Inter I, Inter Kur) - Top 18 only

1. Borja Carrascosa Martínez - Manolo Frh - 73.147 73.794 78.31 --- 225.251
2. Antonio José Vázquez Quintero - Quappuccino Van De Nethe - 70.0 71.647 73.89 --- 215.537
3. José Antonio García Mena - Loriot - 70.294 69.912 75.115 --- 215.321
4. Juan Pablo Matute Guimon - Formentor - 70.412 71.677 72.59 --- 214.679
5. Cristina Torrent Moll - Kadanz - 69.647 68.471 74.38 --- 212.498
6. Cristian Tudela Ruiz - Shpectrum - 70.323 70.176 71.405 --- 211.904
7. Beatriz Ferrer-salat Serra Di Migni - Rio Duero - 69.294 69.294 72.785 --- 211.373
8. Juan Antonio Jiménez - Lanya El Coso - 68.618 69.265 71.775 --- 209.658
9. Rafael Adrián Heredia Muñoz - L´avion Sn - 69.206 70.147 69.905 --- 209.258
10. Carlos Bayo Calvo - Me Too! - 71.794 71.5 65.715 --- 209.009
11. Víctor Alfonso Pomares - First Choice B - 67.765 68.0 72.725 --- 208.49
12. José Manuel Lucena Estrada - Latino Jav Ii - 67.53 67.823 69.21 --- 204.563
13. Noelia Camañes Tomás - Kokeasy - 67.5 68.118 68.59 --- 204.208
14. Gemma Tarrés Boada - Disney - 67.147 67.235 68.365 --- 202.747
15. Mariona Valls Puigdevall - Iroko H - 66.618 67.471 67.79 --- 201.879
16. Marta Gómez-acebo Serrano - Enjoy - 66.618 67.294 67.635 --- 201.547
17. Magín Mateu López - La Chouffe-l - 67.088 66.471 67.335 --- 200.894
18. Alfonso De La Chica Parras - Zaeta De Malleret - 67.088 66.441 65.455 --- 198.984

Under 25 Technical Championship (Short Grand Prix)

1. Marta Villaescusa Bueno - Goerklintgaards Quantico - 69.077
2. Júlia Álvarez Abad - Dark Rose De Fangar - 67.59
3. Giovanni Torrens Bentz - Euro Boy - 65.821
4. Maria Romero Salmeron - Kir Royal - 65.282
5. Carmen Gálvez González - Enorm - 64.82
6. Silvia Hernando Morant - Sir Marq - 64.769
7. Daniel Herranz Yubero - Fito - 64.436
8. Lucia Resino Ena - Efimero - 63.718
9. Michelle Chacón Sogorb - Jiro R - 63.385
10. Keyla Helena Gutiérrez López - Fiorella - 63.256
11. Margarita Garcia Zambudio - Oceano Xxv - 62.077
12 an 309 Emma Andersen Soderberg - Royal Dream - 61.513

Under 25 Freestyle Championship (Kur to Music)

1. Marta Villaescusa Bueno – Goerklintgaards Quantico - 72.080
2. Júlia Álvarez Abad – Dark Rose De Fangar - 71.295
3. Giovanni Torrens Bentz – Euro Boy - 69.750
4. Silvia Hernando Morant – Sir Marq - 68.180
5. Daniel Herranz Yubero – Fito - 68.045
6. Michelle Chacón Sogorb – Jiro R - 67.195
7. Keyla Helena Gutiérrez López – Fiorella - 67.150
8. Margarita Garcia Zambudio – Oceano Xxv - 66.760
9. Carmen Gálvez González – Enorm - 66.420
10. Maria Romero Salmeron – Kir Royal - 66.225
11. Lucia Resino Ena – Efimero - 62.110

Grand Prix Technical Championship (Grand Prix Special)

1. José Antonio García Mena – Gladiador Do Lis 73.745
2. Borja Carrascosa Martínez – Frizzantino 28 70.426
3. Claudio Castilla Ruiz – Hi-rico De Sobral 70.404
4. Beatriz Ferrer-salat – Elegance 70.043
5. Francisco Benítez Sánchez – Lord Platinum 69.447
6. Claudio Castilla Ruiz – Jota Das Figueiras 69.426
7. Juan Antonio Jiménez Cobo – Quartar 69.170
8. Teia Hernández Vila – Romero De Trujillo 69.085
9. Borja Carrascosa Martínez – Sir Hubert B 68.936
10. Juan Pablo Matute Guimon – Lexus 67.957
11. Adrian Roldan Narvaez – Floyd 67.574
11. Cristina Torrent Mol – Fendi T 67.574
13. Alejandro Sánchez Del Barco – Onuba Tr 67.362
14. Juan De Dios Ramírez García – Quarlito Von Nymphenburg 66.809
15. Lucía Gallardo Muñoz – Hip by Jonhson 27 66.766
16. Jordi Domingo Coll – I Am What I Am C by Mango 66.702
17. Juan Pablo Matute Guimon – Navaltocon 66.362
18. Susana Vázquez Mostaza – Franz Im Gluck 66.000
19. Pedro Hernández Triviño – Importante D Sobral 65.893
20. Manuel Domínguez Bernal – Danciano De Malleret 65.723
21. Cristina Wagemans Rovira – Ellington 65.341
22. Paula Matute Guimon – Delagronge 65.276
23. María Carnerero Morente – Shadow 65.234
24. Antonio Laiz Zandio – Lidador Oc 65.192
25. Sonsoles Roldan Martínez – Tailormade Lets´go 64.468
26. Ana Martínez López – Easy Top Vcg 64.042
27. Adrian Mora Madrigal – Deseada 63.745
28. Andrea Ruiz Junco – Quicksilver 63.149
29. Agusti Elías Lara – Iejoor 62.064
30. Diego Martínez Del Moral – for Olimpic Games 60.362

Grand Prix Freestyle Championship (Kur to Music)

1. Borja Carrascosa Martínez – Frizzantino - 79.310
2. Beatriz Ferrer-salat Serra Di Migni– Elegance - 77.300
3. José Antonio García Mena – Gladiador Do Lis. - 76.770
4. Claudio Castilla Ruiz – Hi-rico De Sobral - 75.310
5. Juan Antonio Jiménez Cobo – Quartar - 75.005
6. Juan Pablo Matute Guimon – Lexus - 74.415
7. Teia Hernández Vila – Romero De Trujillo - 73.810
8. Lucía Gallardo Muñoz – Hip by Jonhson - 73.095
9.) Cristina Torrent Moll – Fendi T - 72.830
10. Jordi Domingo Coll – I Am What I Am C - 71.470
11. Cristina Wagemans Rovira – Ellington - 70.830
12. Manuel Domínguez Bernal – Danciano De Malleret - 70.730
13. Juan De Dios Ramírez García – Quarlito Von Nymphenburg - 70.075
14. Pedro Hernández Triviño – Importante Do Sobral - 70.065
15. Adrian Roldan Narvaez – Floyd - 69.700
16. Paula Matute Guimon – Delagronge - 68.840
17. Susana Vázquez Mostaza – Franz Im Gluck- 68.140
18. María Carnerero Morente – Shadow - 67.665